MUI Rejects US’ Recognition of Jerusalem as Capital of Israel

JAKARTA, NNC - The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has strongly rejected United States (US)’ decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and plans to relocate the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Vice Chairman of MUI Zainut Tauhid Sa'adi said the decision proves that President Donald Trump has no empathy to the feelings of Muslims around the world.

"The action will further trigger tension in the Gulf region, disrupt the calm and stability of the Middle East and the world and will spark wraths of Muslims worldwide," Zainut said in a written statement received by NNC on Thursday (12/7/2017).

According to Zainut, instead of providing a solution of peace for the region, it will only further foster fanaticism and violence and threaten the Israeli - Palestinian peace process. In addition, such acts will prolong the suffering of the Palestinian people as it increasingly takes away any certainty of its independence.

MUI also deemed that Donald Trump's actions were very much against the spirit of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which demanded that Israel halt all settlement activities in East Jerusalem including the removal of its capital from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

"So the US should have refused Israeli action, instead of giving recognition," said Zainut.